NU learning environment exceeds national norm

Lewiston Porter Sentinel, December 16, 2006

A nationwide study of effective educational practice has found that Niagara University seniors rank their institution higher than the national average in four of five benchmark areas and equal in a fifth.

The 2006 report from the National Survey of Student Engagement, which involved 523 four-year colleges and universities, found that senior students ranked NU above the national averages in active and collaborative learning, student-faculty interaction, enriching educational experiences and supportive campus environment. In the fifth category, level of academic challenge, NU equaled the national benchmark.

The report, which is sponsored annually by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, is part of an ongoing effort to improve collegiate quality. Findings provide faculty and staff with information that can be used to strengthen the learning environment, while giving students and parents information that is helpful in choosing the right college or university, according to officials.

The report, which was based on information from 260,000 randomly selected first-year and senior students, gives schools an idea of how well students are learning and what they put into and get out of their undergraduate experience.

While there was no significant difference in any of the five categories between the rankings given by NU freshmen and the national averages, NU seniors indicated a better-than-average academic experience in four of the five categories.

In terms of engagement, NU seniors ranked the university highest in the categories of student-faculty interaction and enriching educational experiences. For example, 62 percent of the NU seniors surveyed said they had talked with a faculty member or adviser about career plans, compared to 41 percent nationally. Thirty-one percent said they had worked on a research project with a faculty member outside of class, compared to 19 percent nationally.

“Clearly, the dedication of our faculty and our emphasis on student-faculty research is having an impact on our students,” said Dr. Bonnie Rose, executive vice president and vice president for academic affairs. “The results also show how closely members of our faculty work with students on a personal level, both for academic and career advisement, and as colleagues in research and service activities. This is one of the distinguishing features of a Niagara education.”

With regard to enriching educational experiences, 77 percent of NU seniors said they did either a practicum, internship or field experience, compared to 53 percent nationally. Fifty-six percent said they had completed a culminating senior experience such as a capstone course, thesis or comprehensive examination, compared to 32 percent nationally. Eighty-four percent participated in community service or volunteer work, compared to 59 percent nationally.

“The educational experience at Niagara is designed to prepare our students for future careers and graduate studies by enhancing their classroom study with real-world experience, while providing them with opportunities to reflect upon what they have learned,” said Rose.

“Our emphasis on service learning is a hallmark of our Catholic and Vincentian tradition,” she added.